WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Caremark is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Wake Forest Retail Innovation Challenge, which will be held at Wake Forest University School of Business in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Nov. 14 and 15.

The theme of this year’s Retail Innovation Challenge is "Enhancing Seniors’ Lives." With 10,000 people in the United States turning 65 years old every day, an age demographic that takes two to three times more prescriptions, on average, than those who are younger, CVS Caremark stated that it is in a unique position as a pharmacy innovation company to deliver solutions to better serve the aging population and to foster new ideas in the retail space to improve their lives.

"We are pleased to once again sponsor the Wake Forest Retail Innovation Challenge and participate in this event’s spirit of collaboration to help develop new ideas to enhance the lives of our older customers," stated Larry Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Caremark, who will deliver the keynote address on how the company is reinventing pharmacy for better health. "Innovation is one of CVS Caremark’s core values, and it informs everything we do at our 7,600 CVS/pharmacy stores, more than 700 MinuteClinic medical clinics and through our industry-leading pharmacy benefits management business to help people on their path to better health."

The 2013 Retail Innovation Challenge is hosted by the Wake Forest University Center for Retail Innovation. Twenty-one student teams will each have two minutes to pitch their best retail idea to enhance the lives of seniors. The best five innovation ideas will deliver a formal 30-minute presentation, and the top three ideas will win cash prizes.

Rob Price, SVP and chief marketing officer of CVS/pharmacy, will serve as one of the judges for the Innovation Challenge and will moderate a discussion panel, "Graymerica – Bracing for the Silver Tsunami," during the Wake Forest event. Price is a member of the 2012 Class of the Henry Crown Fellowship Program at the Aspen Institute.

"As our population ages, retailers must deliver breakthroughs for older Americans," Price stated. "CVS Caremark’s sponsorship of the Wake Forest Retail Innovation Challenge is a unique opportunity to engage with some of the nation’s best young minds on this journey."

Study links domestic violence to chronic disease in women

WASHINGTON — Domestic violence has devastating effects on families, but new research also links it to chronic disease in women and calls on healthcare professionals to do more to determine whether there may be a link between the two in patients.

According to a survey sponsored by the Verizon Foundation, the Society for Women’s Health Research and MORE magazine, a significant link exists between domestic violence and many chronic health conditions, and the healthcare industry, support agencies and others should do more to recognize and act on the connection. The survey, conducted by research company GFK in August, included 1,005 women and was presented at a Capitol Hill briefing Thursday that included Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., Donna Edwards, D-Md., Kristi Noem, R-S.D., and Doris Matsui, D-Calif.

The survey found that 70% of adult women older than 21 years have a chronic health condition, but that figure rises to 81% among women who have experienced any form of domestic violence; the survey found that overall, 44% of women had experienced some form of domestic violence.

"In our efforts to improve the care of women with chronic health conditions, it’s important to identify new technology solutions to help healthcare providers and patients overcome obstacles to reducing the long-term health impacts, which includes those from domestic violence," Verizon VP global corporate social responsibility and Verizon Foundation president Rose Stuckey Kirk said. "We believe we haven’t fully utilized technology that can greatly help doctors and patients manage care."

But despite the survey’s results, only 6% of women said their doctor or nurse has made a link between domestic violence and chronic disease, and three-quarters say they have never been asked about domestic violence during a medical exam. Among elderly women, 85% have never been screened, but they are no less likely than younger counterparts to experience domestic violence.

Dollar General announces changes to board

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General Corporation on Wednesday announced the resignations of Raj Agrawal and Adrian Jones as members of its board of directors, effective Dec. 5, 2013. Agrawal, a member of KKR, and Jones, a managing director at Goldman Sachs, have served as directors of Dollar General since 2007.

The entity controlled by KKR and Goldman Sachs, which purchased the company in 2007, now owns less than 2% of the company’s outstanding common stock. Based on this reduced level of ownership, KKR and Goldman Sachs have determined to reduce or eliminate, as applicable, their representation on the company’s board of directors. Mike Calbert, a member of KKR, will continue to serve as the lead director.

"Raj and Adrian have made substantial contributions to the success of Dollar General," stated Rick Dreiling, Dollar General chairman and CEO. "Their judgment and financial acumen have benefited both Dollar General employees and shareholders, and I appreciate their support over the years. On behalf of the entire board of directors, I thank them for their service to Dollar General."

Pulitzer Prize-winner Peggy Noonan, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and singer Diana Ross now feature on the schedule for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting, slated for April 21-24 in Palm Beach, Fla.

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